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| Robert Telfer, engineer of the City Water Works, Big Rapids, was born Hamilton Lanarkshire, Scotland, Feb.21,1844. He is the son of Galvin and Janet Telfer, and learned the trade of tanner and currier in his native town. At the age of 18 he left home and went to Glasgow and worked there at his trade until July 26, 1885, or until after twenty-one. On that day he started for the United States, and 17 days later he was in the city of Detroit at work. When he reached Detroit he had one English shilling in his possession, but he had pluck and energy, and the day following his arrival there had secured a paying situation. After four year of self-denying frugal labor in Detroit, he united his small savings with the capital of his brother Gavin, and established a tannery in Chesaning, Saginaw Co., Mich. and after operating it with gratifying success two years, their building, fixture, etc., was destroyed by fire, involving a loss of $6,000, with no insurance. He still held a considerable amount of stock, which he brought to Big Rapids to avail himself of the facilities at the tannery of Duncan McClellen. In 1885 he entered into an engagement as assistant engineer of the City Water Works, taking full charge two years later, and holding the position continuously ever since. In the summer of 1881 he built the block now owned L.S.Presburg, on Michigan ave., a brick building erected at a cost of upwards of $6,000. He built the Telfer Block, on the corner of Michigan ave. and Pine st., in the summer of 1883. It is a good two-story structure of brick, 40x60 feet, one store of which he stocked with boots and shoes, and confided to the management of his brother, John Telfer. He also owns a residence and a lot of Pine st. and Warren ave. He is a member of the Masonic Fraternity. He was married Dec. 30, 1869, to Mary C., daughter of William and Eliza Burleigh. She was born in Macomb Co., Mich. Mr. and Mrs. Telfer have had two children, one of whom, Gavin, is now living; Eliza only daughter died July 22, 1872. |